Book Reviews

My Grandmother's Stories: A Collection of Jewish Folk Tales by Adele Geras

As a young girl spends time at her grandmother's apartment, she is treated to traditional Jewish tales, including "Bavsi's Feast," "The Golden Shoes," "The Garden of Talking Flowers," and "A Phantom at the Wedding."

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Caldecott Medal 1986. A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

One Winter's Night by John Herman

A lonely cow about to give birth on a cold winter's night finds shelter in a deserted shed with a man and a woman who are also having a baby.

While the Candles Burn: Eight Stories for Hanukkah by Barbara Diamond Goldin

Each of the stories for was chosen to illustrate a different value at the heart of the Festival. Elaine Greenstein's childlike pictures convey an ancient and timeless feeling.